📘The Future of Cary Announced on April 22nd!

Happy Friday, Cary!

We’ve finally made it, and the weather today and the rest of the weekend is looking like it’ll be quite beautiful. There are some great events and things going on around town that I’m so excited to talk to you about.

Before we get into the newsletter, I wanted to shout out the official Cary Digest Instagram and Facebook pages! Beginning today, I’ll be posting daily, as well as posting numerous reels highlighting places around town! I’d love it if you gave us a follow.

Anyway, here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

• State of Cary 2025

• An excellent Italian restaurant in Fenton

• Plant sale this weekend!

• Cary just recognized as having the #1 playground in the country

— Jake from Cary Digest

News

State of Cary Address on April 22!

Mark your calendar": Mayor Harold Weinbrecht will deliver the State of Cary on Monday, April 22 at 6 p.m. at Cary Town Hall.

Hear firsthand about Cary’s progress, upcoming initiatives, and future plans—and stick around for a Q&A session to engage directly with town leadership.

• Where: Cary Town Hall

• When: Monday, April 22 at 6 p.m.

• Why: Learn what’s next for our community!

👉 Read the full news release for more details

Restaurant of the Week: Colletta at Fenton

Nestled in the heart of Cary’s Fenton development, Colletta offers a modern twist on classic Italian-American cuisine. The name "Colletta," meaning "collection" in Italian, reflects its curated menu of house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and seasonal dishes crafted with precision and passion.

Must-Try Dishes:

• 15-Layer Lasagna Bolognese: A showstopper featuring layers of rich beef Bolognese and creamy besciamella.

• Chicken Parmesan: Crispy Joyce Farms chicken breast atop spaghetti with vodka sauce, mozzarella, and basil.

• Spicy Soppressata Pizza: San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, and aleppo honey on a wood-fired crust.

• Burrata: Served with balsamic strawberries, arugula, pickled red onion, cucumbers, toasted pine nuts, and flatbread.​

Drinks & Desserts: Complement your meal with handcrafted cocktails like the Spicy Sicilian or a glass from their extensive wine list. Don't miss the Spumoni Semifreddo Alaska, a delightful dessert with cherry coulis and chocolate shavings.​

Location & Hours: 

📍 1 Fenton Main Street, Cary, NC
🕒 Lunch: Thursday–Sunday, 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
🕔 Dinner: Sunday–Thursday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday–Saturday, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM​

Whether you're planning a romantic date night or a gathering with friends, Colletta's inviting atmosphere and attentive service make it a standout dining destination in Cary. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.​

👉Explore the full menu and make a reservation

Town Updates

Cary's Downtown Park, The Nest, Named Best Playground in America!

Big news: The Nest at Downtown Cary Park just claimed the #1 spot for Public Playgrounds in the entire country, according to USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

This isn’t just a win for the playground—it’s a win for all of Cary. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht called it “a reflection of the thoughtful, community-driven values that make Cary such a special place to call home.”

With its towering wooden cardinals, forest-themed features, splash zones, and inclusive design, The Nest has become a regional magnet for fun. Since opening in 2023, Downtown Cary Park has welcomed over 750,000 visitors and sparked major boosts to local businesses and events.

And the awards keep piling up:

🏆 2024 GOLD Award – National Association of Landscape Professionals
🏆 2024 GRAND Award – Landscape Contractors Association
🏆 2024 Voters’ Choice – WRAL’s Best Park
🏆 And many more!

Want more to explore? Grab a pastry at La Farm Bakery, sip a brew at Bond Brothers, or check out Hum Sub Diwali: all USA TODAY 10Best favorites.

Cary’s on the map in a big way, and this is just the beginning.

🛝 Plan your visit to The Nest: downtowncarypark.com

Community Events

Cary FFA Plant Sale This Weekend

Get your garden gloves ready, the Cary FFA Plant Sale is happening this Friday and Saturday, April 18–19!

Swing by to support local students and check out a vibrant selection of vegetables, herbs, flowers, houseplants, hanging baskets, and even native North Carolina plants. Everything has been student-grown with care, and we can’t wait to share it with the community!

🪴 Prices: $4–$20
💵 Payment: Cash or check only
📍 Questions? Contact Ms. Brown at [email protected]

Come early— the best plants go fast!

Things to Do This Weekend

🎉 Free Events

Children’s Day Festival

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 @ 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Location: Downtown Cary Park

• Description: Celebrate cultural diversity with international crafts, dance performances, face painting, and food trucks. A family-friendly event co-hosted by the American Turkish Association of North Carolina. ​

Cary Downtown Farmers Market

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: East Park St. near Downtown Cary Park

• Description: Shop for fresh produce, meats, and artisan goods. The market offers a SNAP/EBT matching program and is a great way to support local vendors. ​

Science in the Spillway

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 & Sun, Apr 20 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Location: Downtown Cary Park

• Description: Engage in hands-on science activities suitable for all ages. A perfect outing for curious minds.

Festivals & Events

Billy Strings Spring Tour

• Time: Fri, Apr 18 & Sat, Apr 19 @ 7:30 PM

• Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre

• Description: Experience Grammy-winning bluegrass artist Billy Strings live. Note: The April 19 show is sold out, but tickets may still be available for April 18. ​

Craig Robinson (21+ Event)

• Time: Fri, Apr 18 @ 7:00 PM

• Location: Raleigh Improv, Cary

• Description: Enjoy a night of comedy with actor and comedian Craig Robinson. ​

The Phoebes Band

• Time: Fri, Apr 18 @ 9:30 PM

• Location: Back Then Bar and Grill

• Description: Enjoy live music from The Phoebes Band, known for their energetic performances. ​

Film

Julie Keeps Quiet

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 @ 2:00 PM

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: A compelling film exploring themes of silence and resilience. ​

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 @ 5:00 PM

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: An introspective film delving into personal transformation. ​

Suze

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 @ 8:00 PM

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: A heartfelt film about a single mother's journey to rediscover purpose.

HOP

• Time: Sun, Apr 20 @ 12:00 PM

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: An animated Easter-themed film suitable for all ages. ​

Easter Parade

• Time: Sun, Apr 20 @ 3:00 PM

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: Classic musical film featuring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. ​

Jesus Christ Superstar

• Time: Sun, Apr 20 @ 6:00 PM

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: Film adaptation of the renowned rock opera depicting the last week of Jesus' life. ​

Family-Friendly

Easter Eggstravaganza

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Fair Oaks Park

• Description: Join the community for an Easter egg hunt, games, and crafts. ​

Cary Kids Easter Treasure Hunt

• Time: Sat, Apr 19 & Sun, Apr 20

• Location: Cary Arts Center

• Description: A walking team scavenger hunt designed for children and families. ​

Easter Sunday Events

Easter at Crosspointe

• Time: Sun, Apr 20 @ 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

• Location: Crosspointe Church, Cary

• Description: Celebrate Easter with services open to all. ​

Easter Brunch at Herons

• Time: Sun, Apr 20

• Location: The Umstead Hotel and Spa

• Description: Enjoy a special

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